Fulham boss Roy Hodgson revealed he would probably celebrate by watching Match of the Day on television rather than go to a party after Danny Murphy’s goal ensured an amazing escape from relegation.
Hodgson stood still on the touchline as Murphy’s decisive header flew in and appeared to keep calm all the way through to the final whistle which marked Fulham’s fourth win in the last five games and survival on goal difference.
The 60-year-old said: “It’s not really an occasion for celebration although I’m delighted for everybody at the club.
“You used to have a glass of wine and smoke a cigar – before my wife stopped me smoking, that is – but that was also sometimes the case when you had lost as well.
“I think there might be a party planned but I think I might just stay in and watch Match of the Day.
“We are delighted with what we’ve done in the last few weeks even though we left it late and left ourselves a mountain to climb.
“But I am always aware that when we win somebody else has lost and I feel genuine sympathy for lads like Alex McLeish and Steve Coppell who have gone down with their clubs despite both also winning today.
“Some people will say we’ve been lucky but I just felt there might be something going for us if we needed it enough.
Hodgson’s record at Fulham since replacing Lawrie Sanchez in December is six wins, five draws and nine defeats – but the former manager of Inter Milan, Blackburn, Finland and Switzerland said: “If you want to call it my finest achievement I won’t argue with that because that’s what you will call it any way.”
